The military neck is a medical condition characterized by the straightening of the cervical spine. This condition is also known by the names hypolordosis and cervical kyphosis.
The cervical spine typically features a C-type curve, which provides maximum flexibility to the person. But a person struggling with a military neck would not have this natural curve, compromising their neck flexibility and blocking free movements.
It is essential for people with military necks to find neck curve correction solutions. One of the most suggested solutions of such is using a posture-correcting military neck pillow. The article below explores how pillows for military necks improve daily comfort and posture.
Contents
How to Deal with Military Neck Condition?
You can deal with military neck conditions with the help of regular exercise, traction devices, neck pillows, etc. It must be understood that no overnight solutions are available to heal military necks. The patient may take a while to get better, and there should be constant efforts to help the neck get better.
Generally, chiropractors and other experts in bones and muscles recommend a combination of compatible pillows, regular exercise, and traction devices to treat the military neck.
Traction Devices
Traction devices are easy-to-use devices that help correct the posture of the neck. It helps revamp the disc function of the spine. The discs often face extreme pressure when struggling with a military neck and may turn stiff. Traction devices use a pumping mechanism to reinstate the active functioning of the discs.
Regular Exercise
The cervical spine becomes weak in people struggling with military necks. Regular exercises targeting the neck would gradually enable the spine and neck muscles to regain their strength. Engaging in regular exercise would speed up the recovery process from the military neck.
Neck Pillows
As a person spends much time sleeping, active involvement in military neck correction is also needed during sleep. This is where neck pillows come into importance. Neck pillows ensure that the positive results from exercise and traction devices are well preserved.
The two kinds of neck pillows that are the best to treat military neck are:
1. Neck Roll Pillows
2. Sleeping Pillows
Neck Roll pillows
- It helps place the faulty neck in the correct posture and position.
- It supports the neck muscles to relax and relieve pressure.
- It is advisable to use neck roll pillows thrice daily in sessions of twenty to thirty minutes each.
- Using this pillow and a hot pack will speed up the recovery rate.
Sleeping Pillows
- These pillows support and contour the back portion of the neck properly.
- They support the spinal curve and ensure no additional pressure is exerted on the discs.
- They are also ideal for treating and healing sleep issues like sleep apnea.
What is the importance of a neck pillow?
A neck pillow is important for people who are constant travelers. They usually sleep on the go, and the continuous poor sleeping posture would negatively affect their necks.
Neck pillows are travel-friendly pillows that provide your neck with enough support even when you doze off in a vehicle or outdoors. With a neck pillow, you don’t have to lean to the sides and compromise your neck health.
Having a handy neck pillow lifts off the stress from the neck and provides ample support for sound sleep and healthy neck posture.
What are the benefits of the U-shaped neck pillow?
The benefits of U-shaped neck pillows are as follows.
- They help avoid neck stiffness, soreness, and other cervical issues while traveling.
- They help the user get quality sleep and eliminate fatigue.
- U-shaped neck pillows are the best options for maintaining a healthy neck posture.
- As the airways are open while using a neck pillow, snoring problems can be limited significantly.
- They significantly reduce back and head pain.
Summary
The military neck has been a constant burden for me for a long time. The neck’s constant stiffness and limited flexibility make even day-to-day affairs quite complex and impossible. Exercising regularly and using specialized pillows for military neck has considerably weakened my condition.
Using good neck pillows for both sleeping and traveling made a significant difference in my condition. Neck pillows gave me enough support while sleeping and helped me relieve the pain and stiffness from the military neck. Another change was caused by the active use of neck pillows while traveling. My decision to modify my routines with compatible neck pillows has made all the difference regarding my quality of life.
FAQs
1. Does a military neck hurt?
A military neck may or may not cause hurt or pain. It is not essential for military necks to have side effects like neck pain or inflammation. There are instances where military neck only causes severe limitations in movements. But in most people, the military neck does cause muscle spasms at regular intervals. The spasms are resultant of the muscle being pulled on the spine. The motion of the neck could also be painful when you have a military neck.
2. Is sleeping without a pillow good for neck posture?
The effects of sleeping without a pillow depend on the person’s sleeping position. Generally, it is considered reasonable to sleep without a pillow. This lets the person’s body align in a straight line without exerting additional pressure on any body parts. Also, sleeping without a pillow would help with spine alignment as the neck will not be in a higher position.
3. Are travel neck pillows helpful?
Travel neck pillows are helpful if you use a reasonably well-built, better-quality neck pillow. You will gain great sleep even while traveling if you are using a neck pillow. They also reduce fatigue and stress on the neck. Travel neck pillows also ensure the user does not suffer from any neck soreness or stiffness while traveling.
4. Do travel neck pillows prevent snoring?
Travel neck pillows prevent snoring while traveling. This happens because, when you use a neck pillow, your neck posture is straight, and the airways are open without any block. This free airway prevents snoring from happening.
Hi, I am Valerie. I love working out and trying out various products which help me maintain my fitness. I love reviewing products related to posture and pain relief that will help people in some way. I like to spend my extra time swimming, Running and Wall Climbing. I am a physiotherapist and have helped countless people lead a pain free life.
